Cognitive flexibility

The human brain is the most complex physical entity in the universe.

According to Science Direct: "Cognitive flexibility is the ability to flexibly allocate resources to process and manage information in a constantly changing environment (Diamond, 2013; Giller and Beste, 2019). For instance, we use cognitive flexibility to switch between paying attention to different talkers in group conversations. Typically, cognitive flexibility is studied by examining one's ability to shift between mental sets of information, or between two or more different tasks (Cañas et al., 2003; Mayr and Keele, 2000; Miyake et al., 2000; Monsell, 1996)."

Cognitive flexibility is vitally important because it allows people to adapt to changing circumstances by readily shifting their thoughts and behaviors which enables them to effectively engage in problem solving, learn new things, and navigate complex environments which leads to better decision-making, greater creativity, and improved psychological resilience to stress in various circumstances. In short, it's the ability to adjust your approach based on new information or circumstances.

Cognitive flexibility is especially important in VUCA environments ("VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. It describes the situation of constant, unpredictable change that is now the norm in certain industries and areas of the business world." See also: Change management).

Cognitive flexibility is strongly positively linked to the personality trait of openness (People who score high in the personality trait of openness tend to exhibit greater cognitive flexibility).

How to increase cognitive flexibility

• 10 Keys to Cognitive Flexibility, Open Colleges
• How to improve your cognitive flexibility
• How to Improve Your Cognitive Flexibility with 10 Science-Backed Tips
• 10-Minute Tips to Improve Flexible Thinking
• What is Cognitive Flexibility and How to Improve it?
• What Is Cognitive Flexibility & How to Improve It [With Examples]

Journal article:

• Cognitive flexibility training for impact in real-world settings, Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. Volume 59, October 2024, 101413

Journal articles

• The consistency of the influence of pride and shame on cognitive flexibility: Evidence from ERP, Neuroscience. 2022 Apr 1:487:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.12.021. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

• Intelligence IS Cognitive Flexibility: Why Multilevel Models of Within-Individual Processes Are Needed to Realise This, Journal of Intelligence. 2022 Aug 1;10(3):49. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence10030049

See also

• Cognitive control
• Creativity

External links

• IQ tests can’t measure it, but ‘cognitive flexibility’ is key to learning and creativity
• Cognitive Flexibility: The Key to Mental Agility and Success

Videos:

• Cognitive flexibility - video playlist, video playlist